Tag: concerts

Pinellas Park

Pinellas County residents seeking a central location find it in Pinellas Park. Situated midway between Clearwater and St. Petersburg, this city of approximately 49,079 people is a community-oriented place to live.

This family-friendly community offers a variety of housing options among several neighborhoods and real estate developments, including single-family residences, golf course homes, town homes, condos and waterfront homes.

Performances One focal point of community activity is the city-owned England Brothers Park, where annual events including the popular Country in the Park festival are held. Every third Tuesday of each month, folks gather there for a free lunchtime performance on the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater pipe organ.

Concerts, plays and other live performances are enjoyed at the Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center throughout the year. The Center was completed in late 2007, seats 500, and is a multi-use facility. Currently, it is home to the Civic Orchestra, a local community chorus and the Sunstate Opera Society. The facility is also available for weddings and banquets.

Watch for Horses An active parks and recreation department provides opportunities for casual or league play, and indoor and outdoor activities. It is also a very well known equestrian community in Pinellas County. Several of the parks have horse trails and the main equestrian attraction is Helen Howarth Park. Horses are commonplace enough that traffic officials saw fit to place horse crossing lights on some streets and cross walk buttons high enough so that riders can reach them.

On the weekend, residents might be found hunting for a bargain at the Wagon Wheel Flea Market, a 100-acre market that attracts guests from near and far.

Factoids: Population: 49,079 according to the 2010 U.S. Census Land Area: 14.7 Sq. Miles

Largo

Situated in the heart of Pinellas County, Largo is a family-friendly community of tree-lined streets, plentiful lakes and hundreds of acres of parkland. Home to 77,648 residents according to the 2010 U.S. Census, Largo is the third largest city in Pinellas County.

The dynamic nature of Largo might be best admired in the redevelopment of its downtown district. Largo’s West Bay Drive district is a charming collection of restaurants and shops just a short stroll from Largo Central Park, the venue for regular concerts, festivals and other entertainment events. A city trolley provides a fun way to get around town on the weekend. The Largo Cultural Center downtown is both an entertainment destination and community gathering spot.

Largo residents are justly proud of the many jewels within their community. A prime example is Florida Botanical Gardens, where native and tropical flora and fauna thrive on over 30 acres of cultivated gardens and 90 acres of natural preserves. Several endangered species, including the bald eagle and the gopher tortoise, are safe at home here. Largo’s Gulf Coast Museum of Art is another treasure, with its nine permanent collections and changing exhibitions. Heritage Village, a 21-acre living history museum, offers visitors a glimpse into Florida’s past.

Factoids:

Population: 77,648 according to the 2010 U.S. Census Land Area: 15.7 Sq. Miles

Clearwater Jazz Holiday

New Orleans has its Jazz Fest. Montreux has its Jazz Festival. In NYC, it’s the JVC. In Pinellas County we gather for our own world-class musical celebration held every October at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday in the city’s downtown area.

What started as a 10-day series of jazz concerts staged from the back of a flatbed truck has evolved into a major regional jazz festival. For three decades now, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday has brought together some of the greatest jazz talents in the world in front of a large and appreciative crowd of fans. And there’s been a lot to appreciate.

Through the years the Clearwater Jazz Holiday stage has been graced by legends: Herbie Mann, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Woody Herman and the Count Basie Orchestra only to name a few. The festival has also showcased contemporary jazz stars such as Jean-Luc Ponty, Bela Fleck, Buckwheat Zydeco, Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Natalie Cole and many more.

Against the backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico, intense sunsets vie with the music for your attention. Most spectacular of all, the event is free to the public. The Clearwater Jazz Holiday is no doubt one of the most magical musical events in the world. And, it’s only in Pinellas.